While it is true that the Indonesian constitution does not outlaw Shiite Islam, a superficial look at the matter can be deceptive. Indonesia's state doctrine Pancasila acknowledges six faiths and pledges to treat these faiths equally: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism.
Such a promise of egalitarianism has helped to put the label "secular" on Pancasila and the country has traditionally been associated with religious pluralism and tolerance.
The results of a recent survey by the Indonesian Setera Institute are of interest as they suggest majority support for keeping up the status quo in religious affairs. Asked whether difference in religion was a benchmark for choosing one's friends, 81.5 percent of the respondents said that it wasn't; 88 percent opined that religion was a private matter and needed no government interference.